Amusement ride



J. R. DYKE AMUSEMENT RIDE May 28,1940.

Filed Jan. 20, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JOHN R. DYKE ATTORNEYS May. 28, 1940. J. R DYKE 2,201,993

AMUSEMENT RIDE Filed Jan. 20, 1939 4. Sheets-Sheet 2 2? Fig. 4'

JOHN 7? DY/TE 75 ATTORNEYS May 28, 1940. J. R. DYKE AMUSEMENT RIDE Filed Jan. 20, 1939' 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR BY JOHN R. DYKE ATTORNEY May 28, 1940. J. R. DYKE 2,201,993

AMUSEMENT RIDE Filed Jan. 20, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 i I 1 I I 44. J I/44 I l I i 7 2 INVENTOR JOHN R. DYKE' WD W ATTORNEYS Patented May 28, 1940 UNITE STATES PATENT oFFicE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement rides of the type used at carnivals and other amusement places. One of its objects is to provide an amusement ride in which an oscillatory swing is mounted in a rotary cylinder or drum whereby persons seated in the swing will, due to the relative motion of the drum and the swing, have the sensation of far greater motion than that to which they are subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide means associated with the cylinder or drum to heighten the illusion of motion.

Another object of my invention is to provide an amusement ride in which a rotatable cylinder surrounds a swing and in which the swing may be swung back and forth by an operator standing outside the cylinder.

A further object of my invention is to provide 'an amusement device comprising a swing with surrounding rotary cylinder in which all of the seats on the swing may be loaded from one door in the surrounding cylinder.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an amusement ride comprising a swing with a surrounding rotary cylinder constructed of strong, durable and light parts which can be readily assembled and disassembled for transportation, and which will occupy a minimum of space when disassembled.

Briefly, my invention comprises a swing having parallel facing seats, the frame of which is made of structural steel members and the seats of which face each other. The swing is mounted for oscillation on stub shafts within a rotary cylinder which is also mounted for rotation on the stub shafts, and is rotatable independently of the swing. The cylinder is preferably covered with canvas or other translucent material and may have figures or stripes thereon which, when the cylinder is rotated, aid in afi'ording the illusion of motion to the passengers. The swing is oscillated back and forth by a person standing on the outside while at the same time the cylinder surrounding the swing may be turned. Light shining through the translucent covering of the cylinder with its light and dark stripes causes a person sitting in the swing to have the illusion of swinging much farther than he actually does with the sensation of a possibility of turning over and over in the cylinder. Access to the swing within the cylinder is had through a side door which may be closed and locked when the device is in operation. When passengers are entering the swing, it is locked against any motion.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus with a part of the covering removed to show the swing within the cylinder;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the support for one of the A-frame members;

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view of the lower end of another of the A-frame members;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail end view of the supporting shaft at one end of the cylinder;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional View taken along the line VIVI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the swing look- 35 ing in the direction of the arrows VII-VII of Fig. 8; a

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the swing;

Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the bearing support for the swing, together with the means for connecting the crank thereto to operate it;

Fig. 10 is a fragmental sectional View taken on the line X-X of Fig. 9;

' Fig. 11 is a detail View of the latch for closing the door giving access to the interior of the cylinder, taken along the line XI-XI of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing the construction of the longitudinal frame sections for the cylinder;

Fig. 13 is a detail end View of the rotary cylinder frame; and

Fig. 14.- is a sectional view taken along the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show parallel supporting sills ill and H which extend the length of the apparatus. A-frames comprising outer members l2 and inner members l3 joined together by suitable cross braces I l are mounted at each end of the sills Ill and H. The A-frame members l2 and l3, as may be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, are formed from angle irons. The membar It, at its base, has welded thereon a supporting angle l5 which rests on top of the sill ll, while the flange of the angle i3 is bent to fit against the side of the sill II and is joined to the sill by means of a bolt It. The angle 52, at its base, has its flange ll turned under the sill H and is joined to the sill by means of a bolt It. The reason for this construction will be apparent, as the inner member I3 bears downwardly on the sills due to the weight of the parts supported thereby, and the outer member [2 pulls upwardly. Mounted on the upper end of the A-frame members l2 and I3, by means of U-bolts If! and 2!, are hollow stub shafts 22 and 23. The A-frame members are joined together at the bottom by means of transverse members, such as 2 1, shown in Fig. 4.

Supported for rotation on the inner ends of the stub shafts 22 and 23 is a cylinder 26. The cylinder 26 is comprised of semi-cylindrical end frames 21 and 28, each made up of a plurality of segments of a circle. As may be seen in Fig. 13, the periphery of each of theend frames is preferably made of angle iron, which may have its inwardly extending web notched at regular in tervals and be bent to the desired shape and welded. Radial angles 28 and 3! are joined. to the ends of the respective halves of the end frame and are joined together by means of bolts 32. Radial angle members 33, St, 35, and 36 join the peripheries of the halves of the end frame members at regular intervals and are in turn joined, preferably by welding, to semi-cylindrical members 3'! and 38 to form, when the halves are bolted together, the outer shell of the central hub for the cylinder 26. The construction at the two ends of the cylinder is identical, and the description thereof need not be repeated.

The hub members 3? and 38 bear against and hold firmly between them a cylindrical member 39 which may be made from a standard dimension piece of pipe. Fitting within the member 39 and over the stub shaft 22, are two bearings 4| which are preferably ball bearings, and thus provide for easy rotation of the end frame members on the shafts 22 and 23.

The end frame members are joined together by a plurality of rectangular frame members 42. The frame members 42 are made up of longitudinally extending angle members 43 and transversely extending angle members M which are welded together, The members M fit within the angle members 21 of the end frame, as shown in Fig. 14, and are joined thereto by means of bolts it. On one side of the cylinder there is provided a door 4?, the frame of which is preferably made from steel rod 48 bent to the proper shape, and hinged at the top by means of straps 49 and 51 to one of the longitudinally extending frame members 3. The members 45, which would otherwise cross the opening of the door 41, are cut short to form the opening and are joined to the other longitudinally extending members, and to each other, by means of cross braces 52' and 53, which are bolted to the nearest members 43 extending the full length of the cylinder, as shown more particularly in Fig. 12. The members 43 are joined together intermediate their ends by means of cross braces 56. The door 4'1 may be latched closed by means of a spring pressed catch 55, as shown in Fig. 11, which is secured to a cross member 54.

The cylinder 26 is preferably covered with a translucent covering, such as a fabric or the like, which permits a certain amount of light to pass through. It is preferably patterned with spaced dark colored stripes 5?, which obstruct the light and which give to a person inside the cylinder the illusion of motion when the cylinder is rotated. The covering may be detachably applied to the cylinder by means of snaps 58.

Disposed within the cylinder 26 is a swing which is made up of similar end A-frames 59 made preferably from angles joined together at the top, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, with a flange 6| extending over a ball bearing 62 which, at each end, surrounds the stub shafts 22 and 23. Collars 60, on the inner ends of the stub shafts 22 and 23, prevent the A-frames 59 from shifting thereon, A collar I60 is placed around each of the stub shafts 22 and 23 between the A-framcs 59, and the cylinder bearing 39, to prevent relative movement between the swing and the cylinder. A collar IS! on each of the shafts 22 and E3 aids in holding the cylinder in place thereon. A washer I62, between the collar 16! and the bearing, aids in holding lubricant in place. A plate IE3 is welded across the A-frame members 59 to the inwardly extending flanges 6i thereof to afford additional strength and to hold the ball bearing 62 in place. Additional cross frame members 84, 65 and 66 are joined to the members 59'by welding, the members 65 and Ed extending laterally beyond the frame members 58, as shown in Fig. '7. Joined to the frame members 59 at the bottom by means of bolts 6'5, is a rectangular floor frame comprised of longitudinally extending channel members 68 and transverse channel members 69, which may be joined together at the corners by welding. A floor 11, preferably of wood, rests on the floor frame just described.

Extending upwardly at a slightly divergent angle, intermediate the ends, on opposite sides of the swing frame, are a plurality of channel members 12, which have their flanges cut away so as to join at the bottom, by means of bolts 73, to the longitudinally extending channels 63. At

their upper ends, the channel members '22 have their flanges cut away and the web turned over to fit about a pipe '58 which extends longitudinally of the swing to form the upper frame member of the swing. On the side of the swing where passengers are admitted, two pipes l? and 18 fit within the curved end portions i of the channels 12 to form a gap to admit passengers to the swing, as seen in Fig. 8. Slidably mounted within the pipe sections TI and i8 is a rod 79 which may be slid across the gap and secured in place by a pin 85, or the pin 3i may be removed and the rod slid out of the way to admit passengers when desired. The support of the swing by means of stub shafts also becomes important in that it permits the entrance and exit of the passengers from one side only of the swing, It has another important function in that the passengers do not see any relatively stationary object when occupying the swing, which would tend to lessen the illusion of motion created by the apparatus.

The angles 66, which extend across and are secured to the A-frame members 59, have their flanges turned inwardly of the swing to afford an end support for seats 82 and B3. Angle members 84 extend longitudinally of the swing and are secured to the channel 12 to afford a rear support for the seats 82 and 83. At each of the four corners of the swing a channel member 855 extends parallel to the members 72 and is joined to the ends of the angles 65 and 68 by means of bolts. 86. The members 85, as will be seen in Fig. 7, are similar in all respects to the members 12 except they do not extend down to the floor of the swing. Suitable backrests are provided and are secured in any suitable manner to the members '12 and 85. Extending along the front of the seats 82 and B3 are angle members 8? which rest at their ends and are bolted to the inturned' flanges of the angle members '65 by means of bolts 98. The angle members 8? are supported intermediate their ends by diagonally extended braces 88, which are joined at their bases by welding to the members 72. As seen in Fig. 8, the seat 82 is divided to permit the ingress and egress of passengers from the swing.

I have found that it greatly increases the value of my improved apparatus as an amusement ride to have the seats of the swingfacing each other. In operation there is an illusion of motion to the extent that the passengers feel that the swing may turn over and over, whereas it may be moving only slightly. If the occupants of the swing face each other and see the expression on each others faces during the operation of the apparatus, it greatly enhances its amusement value.

The swing may be operated by any suitable means, but is preferably operated manually by means of a crank 89 which extends through the hollow shaft 22 and is secured to the transverse member 64 by means of a U-bolt 9i. outer end of the crank 89 is secured a downwardly depending arm 92 which may be grasped to operate the swing manually. Inasmuch as the swing is supported on the ball bearings 62, it may be readily swung back and forth by one man with as many as fifteen persons in the swing.

In order for passengers to enter and leave the swing, I provide on one side a set of steps 93 which are hinged at 94 to one of the longitudinally extending sills ll so that they may bev pivoted upwardly to the dotted position shown in Fig. 4. Secured to one of the members 63 intermediate its ends, is a plate 9'6 carrying an eye 91. Carried by the steps 93 is a plate 98 having eyes 99 which fit above and below the eye 97 when the steps are'in raised position, in which position a pin 168 may be passed through the eyes 9'! and 99 to hold the swing and steps rigidly against movement so that passengers may enter or leave the swing. In this position the cylinder 26 is held against rotation by means of a rod Hi pivoted to one of the frame members i3 and having a hook MB on the end thereof adapted to engage with an eye It! on the end of the cylinder. proved device for loading and unloading the swing from one side only affords great economy of space in operation. This is very important, because concessions at amusement places are rented usually on the basis of the ground 0ccupied. It will be seen that my improved ride occupies only half as much ground as would be necessary if passengers had to be loaded from both sides.

When the swing is being loaded or unloaded, the door l! may be raised to its upper dotted position shown in Fig. 4, by any suitable means, such as a pulley and hook IM, and held in its raised position while passengers are entering and leaving the swing. When the swing is fully loaded, the bar 19 is secured in closed position, and the door 41 is let down and is fastened by means of the latch 56. The swing is then started to oscillate by an operator on the outside, while the cylinder 26 may be rotated either manually or by any other suitable means, not shown. Light shining through the translucent cover with its alternate dark colored stripes causes the occupants of the swing to have the illusion of turning over and over in the cylinder. The cylinder may be rotated for a while in one direction, and stopped and rotated in the opposite direction to heighten the illusion and direction of the motion. Since the swing and cylinder move with the stub shafts as a common center, whenever the swing is moving in the At the The adaptability of my im-.

direction of rotation of the cylinder thepassengers see a fewer number of bars of light per unit of time through the covering than when the swing is moving opposite to the direction of rotation of the cylinder. I have found that this varying number of bars of light per unit of time heightens the illusion of motion much more than if the same number passed before the passengers eyes at all times during the ride. When operated at night, as will be well understood light will be supplied from the outside to shine through the translucent covering. The fact that the swing is suspended from stub shafts becomes important for two reasons. Passengers may be loaded from one side only without having to stoop under the shaft. Also, the illusion of motion is heightened by reason of the fact that there is no stationary object for the passengers to see when seated in the swing.

'Whenever it is desired to move the apparatus, the members comprising the swing frame may be disassembled, where bolted together and packed in a very small space. The covering for the cylinder, being detachably secured by means of snaps or the like, may be removed and packed up. The longitudinally extending frame sections, comprised. of the members 43, M and 45, are next unbolted from the end frame members, and the halves of the end frame members are disassembled. The main supporting A- frames l2 and I 3 are then dismounted from the longitudinally extending sills ill and I l, and the apparatus may be packed in a very small space for transportation. Its assembly is as simple and requires only a short period of time. This is very important, because apparatus such as hereinbefore described is usually operated only a few days at a time in one location, and its assembly, disassembly, and transportation constitute a large percentage of the cost of operation.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have devised an improved amusement ride which is simple of construction and operation, and which is economical of assembly, disassembly and transportation.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An amusement ride comprising a cylinder, longitudinally extending rectangular frame members for the periphery of the cylinder, diametrically divided end frame members detachably secured to the longitudinal members, a hub at each end of the cylinder detachably connected to the end frame members, a stub shaft for each hub terminating just inside the cylinder at each end, parallel A-frame members at each end of the cylinder for supporting the shafts and the cylinder, a swing extending longitudinally within the cylinder substantially the whole length thereof and supported from the ends of the stub shafts, means forming a door in the side of the cylinder giving access to the swing, a translucent longitudinally striped cover for the cylinder, and means to operate the swing from outside the cylinder.

2. An amusement ride comprising a cylinder,

longitudinal rectangular frame members forthe periphery of the cylinder, diametrically divided end frame members detachably secured to the longitudinal members, a hub at each end of the cylinder detachably connected to the end frame members, a stub shaft for each hub terminating just inside the cylinder at each end, parallel A- frame members at each end of the cylinder for supporting the shafts and the cylinder, a swing extending longitudinally within the cylinder substantially the whole length thereof and supported from the ends of the stub shafts, side and fioor frame members for the swing detachably joined together, parallel seats for the swing facing each other and extending longitudinally thereof, means forming a door in the side of the cylinder giving access to the swing, and a crank extending from outside the cylinder through one of the stub shafts for operating the swing.

3. An amusement device comprising a swing, seats on said swing facing each other, stub shafts at either end of said swing upon which the swing is rockably mounted, a rotatable cylinder mounted on said stub shafts enclosing said swing, a translucent cover for said cylinder, a series of horizontal alternately dark and light stripes on the cover of said cylinder, an entrance door on said cylinder, and means to rock said swing from without the cylinder.

l. In an amusement ride, a swing, longitudinal facing seats on the swing one of which is divided to provide an open section to give access to both seats, a stub shaft at each end of the swing from which it is suspended, a cylinder mounted for free rotation on the stub shaft and surrounding the swing, means giving access to the interior of the cylinder and the swing opposite the division in said seat, and means to operate the swing from the exterior thereof.

5. In an amusement ride, a swing, longitudinal facing seats on the swing one of which is divided to provide an open section to give access to both seats, a stub shaft at each end of the swing from which it is suspended, a cylinder mounted for ee rotation on the stub shaft and surrounding the swing, means giving access to the interior of the cylinder and the swing opposite the division in said seat, means to operate the swing from the exterior thereof, and a detachable fabric cover for said cylinder provided with alternate dark and clear stripes to give to persons in the swing the illusion of motion when "the cylinder is rotated.

6. In an amusement ride, a swing, longitudinal facing seats on the swing one of which is divided to provide an open section to give access to both seats, a stub shaft at each of the swing from which it is suspended, a cylinder mounted for free rotation on the stub shaft and surrounding the swing, means giving access to the interior of the cylinder and the swing opposite the division in said seat, means to operate the swing from the exterior thereof, a detachable fabric cover for said cylinder provided with alternate dark and clear stripes to give to persons in the swing the illusion of motion when the cylinder is rotated, and parallel supporting A-frames for the stub shafts at each end of the cylinder.

JOHN R. DYKE. 

